It’s mid-October, but already we’re faced with costumes, masks and all those gooey sweet treats everywhere we turn.

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Are you dreading all that (unwanted) candy, both for you and your kids? My guess is YES! I’m sure, like me, you don’t want it, and your kids certainly don’t need it.

Sugar, artificial colouring (both implicated in ADHD and hyperactivity), and other additives have no place in anyone’s diet, and especially that of our little ones.

Here are healthier options allowing for some fun in the kitchen in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Bring some of their friends around for added excitement, especially in the haze this year, keeping our kids indoors more than we would like.

1. FROZEN BANANA GHOSTS

• half a banana
• dip in fresh fruit juice
• roll it in dry unsweetened coconut
• freeze on a chopstick
• Add raisins or chocolate nibs for eyes

2. SPOOKY SPIDERS

• Make up the mixture for Energy Balls
• Mold into spider shapes

3. JACK-O-ORANGE

• Carve out a pumpkin
• Fill with frozen fruits

4. GREENY GRINS (Snap peas, red pepper, slithered almonds)

• Open the outer edge of snap peas
• Insert some red pepper as a tongue
• Use slithered almonds as teeth

5. WITCHES FINGER

• Cut cheese stick in half
• With a knife make small dash for finger ridges
• Place a little or green pepper as a nail

6. SPIDER CRACKERS

• Make a sandwich of 2 round crackers, with whatever filling you like
• Use raisins for eyes
• Stick dried noodles or pretzels around as legs

7. PUMPKIN PIECES

• Make or buy pumpkin shaped cookies
• Add a healthy spread of choice (e.g. cream cheese, honey or mashed pumpkin)
• Cut up 100% fruit slice for eyes & mouth

They say ‘cooking is love made visible and edible’. Show your kids what joy they mean to you by spending time with them making creative seasonal treats which are actually healthy for them.